Why Granny's Life Insurance Left Us with Lunch Money

My grandmother was a force to be reckoned with—bold, outspoken, and completely uninterested in life insurance. Anytime the topic came up, she’d wave her hand and say, "I'll be dead, what do I care?" And every time, I wanted to respond, "So, you’re completely okay with being a burden to your children? Because that’s exactly what you’re saying."

For years, my mother wrestled with whether to take out a policy for her or just settle for cremation, which would cut costs significantly. Every time she checked premiums, the numbers were overwhelming. Given my grandmother’s age and health conditions, securing coverage came at a hefty price. And then, when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer and given a short time to live, we all knew—that ship had sailed.

When it came time to plan her funeral, a "proper burial" was considered, but the price tag? Whew. It was far more than her children had anticipated. In that moment, we were hit with a painful reality: life insurance isn't just a suggestion—it’s a necessity.

Her service was beautiful. She will always be remembered for her unfiltered opinions and her larger-than-life personality. We called her crazy all the time, but we loved her just the same.

And then, months later, my cousin and I received letters in the mail about her life insurance. For a second, I felt bad. Maybe we had been too quick to assume she hadn’t prepared. Maybe my mom and aunt were right to want a burial instead of settling for cremation.

So, I called the number, provided my information, and eagerly waited to hear what kind of policy she had in place. The representative put me on hold for a moment, then came back and said, "The policy payout is $37."

I spit my juice out.

Apparently, only two months of premiums had been paid before they stopped. That was it. That was the grand financial plan—leaving us with just enough for gas money and a few snacks. And in that moment, my guilt disappeared. Turns out, my grandmother was just as unbothered about life insurance as she always claimed to be. SMH.

What This Mess Taught Me About Life Insurance

This experience was chaotic, frustrating, and entirely preventable. Here’s what I learned the hard way:

1. Verify that your loved ones actually have coverage – Don’t assume. Check. Confirm. Make sure the policy exists and that it’s active.

2. Have the right conversations early – Avoiding the topic won’t make the reality go away. Talk to your family about their plans and make sure they understand the consequences of not having life insurance.

3. Get access to the necessary documents – If no one knows where the policy is (or if it exists at all), it’s not doing anyone any good. Keep records and make sure the right people have access.

4. Be prepared for reality – If life insurance isn’t an option, have a solid backup plan. Funerals aren’t cheap, and scrambling to cover costs during an already emotional time is an added burden no family should have to endure.

   
   

This situation was a mess, and no family should have to go through what we did. If this story made you laugh, cringe, or shake your head, let it also serve as a reminder: get your affairs in order, have the hard conversations, and make sure your family isn’t left in the same situation. Because when the time comes, the last thing anyone should be worrying about is how to afford a proper goodbye.